Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino

Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino, Ph.D., D.Min., D.D. (she/her) is “everyone’s favorite theologian” leading Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z with expertise in leadership training, queer and feminist theology, general religion, and apostolic theology. She has served in ministry since 1998 and was ordained as a pastor in 2002 and an apostle in 2010. She founded what is now Spitfire Apostolic Ministries in 2004. Under her ministry heading Dr. Marino is founder and overseer of Sanctuary International Fellowship Tabernacle – SIFT (the original home of National Coming Out Sunday) and Chancellor of Apostolic Covenant Theological Seminary (ACTS).

Affectionately nicknamed "the Spitfire," Dr. Marino has spent over two decades as an “apostle, preacher, and teacher” (2 Timothy 1:11), exercising her personal mandate to become “all things to all people” (1 Corinthians 9:22). Her embrace of spiritual issues (both technical and intimate) has found its home among both seekers and believers, those who desire spiritual answers to today’s issues.

Dr. Marino has preached throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Europe in hundreds of religious services and experiences throughout the years. A history maker in her own right, she has spent over two decades in advocacy, education, and work for and within minority spiritual communities (including African American, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+). She has also served as the first woman on all-male synods, councils, and panels, as well as the first preacher or speaker welcomed of a different race, sexual orientation, or identity among diverse communities. Today, Dr. Marino’s work extends to over one hundred countries as she hosts the popular Kingdom Now podcast, which is in the top twenty percentile of all podcasts worldwide. She is also the author of over thirty books and the popular Patheos column, Leadership on Fire. To date, she has had five bestselling titles within their subject matter: Understanding Demonology, Spiritual Warfare, Healing, and Deliverance: A Manual for the Christian Minister; Ministry School Boot Camp: Training for Helps Ministries, Appointments, and Beyond; Surrounded By So Great a Cloud of Witnesses: Women of Faith Who Revolutionized History; Fruit of the Vine: Study and Commentary on the Fruit of the Spirit; and Ministering to LGBTQs – and Those Who Love Them.

As a public icon and social media influencer, Dr. Marino advocates for healthy body image (curvy/full-figured), representation as a demisexual/aromantic, and albinism awareness, as a model. Known to those she works with, she is spiritual mom, teacher, leader, professor, confidant, and friend. She continues to transform, receiving new teaching, revelation, and insight in this thing we call “ministry.” Through years of spiritual growth and maturity, Dr. Marino stands as herself, here to present what God has given to her for any who have an ear to hear.

Statement of Faith

Our Beliefs

We believe in one God...

The Father (spiritual parent) in creation, the Son in redemption, and the Holy Spirit as God in us, God with us, and God transforming us, in sanctification and experience. God is over all, through all, and in all (Genesis 1:1,26, Genesis 3:22, Exodus 3;14, Deuteronomy 6:4, Deuteronomy 32:18, Psalm 68:5, Isaiah 66:13, Hosea 11:3-4, Matthew 1:18-24, Matthew 3:11, Matthew 23:37, Luke 2:21, John 4:24, John 14:15-17, Acts 1:1-11, Acts 2:1-38, Ephesians 4:6, 1 John 5:7-8, Revelation 1:5-6).

We believe in One Lord, Jesus Christ...

The Only Begotten of the Father, born of a virgin, conceived of the Holy Spirit, crucified, died, raised from the grave, and was the very Word made flesh and Image of the invisible God, the Name by which men may be saved (Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 1:18-24, John 1:1-18, John 10:17, John 14:6, John 15:13, John 20:1-31, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 4:5, Philippians 2:10, Colossians 1:15-23, Hebrews 4:14-15, 1 John 3:16, Revelation 5:9-13).

We believe in one Spirit, the Holy Spirit, Who dwells within us...

Manifesting the evidence of spiritual gifts, the Ephesians 4:11 leadership gifts, the appointment works, gifting attributes, prophetic expressions, functions, and the Spirit’s unique fruit, guiding us, leading us, and bringing us to a full experience with God (Genesis 18:16-33, Genesis 40:1-23, Exodus 25:18-22, Exodus 35:20-35, Deuteronomy 31:19-22, 2 Samuel 6:14, 2 Samuel 18:24-33, 2 Samuel 21:10-15, 2 Kings 17:24-41, 1 Chronicles 16:41-42, 1 Chronicles 9:8-34, 2 Chronicles 5;12-14, Ezra 7:6, Job 33:4, Psalm 45:1, Psalm 149:3, Psalm 150:4, Isaiah 11:2-5, Isaiah 29:16, Ezekiel 12:1-11, Jeremiah 36:1-32, Daniel 5:1-31, Matthew 3:11, Matthew 23:34, Mark 16:15-20, John 20:22, Acts 1:5,8, Acts 2:14-21,38, Acts 6:3-6, Romans 8:14-17, Romans 8:28, Romans 10:5-18, Romans 12:4-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-28, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Galatians 5:22-33, Ephesians 2:19-20, Ephesians 4:4,11-16, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, 1 Timothy 3:1-8, 1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:5-7, Titus 2:3-8, Hebrews 7:25, 1 Peter 5:1, Jude 1:3, Revelation 4:4, Revelation 18:20, Revelation 19:10, Revelation 21:1-22:11).

We believe in the unity of the Spirit present through the bond of peace...

The peace of the Kingdom must be maintained at all costs. Anything that causes dissension, hostility, or worldly attitudes (such as worldly politics) must cease in the presence of God's true Kingdom. As such, we do not believe politics or worldly social structures of any sort have place in the church, and should not be employed therein (Genesis 12:1-20, 1 Kings 8:53, Psalm 133:1, John 17:23, Acts 2:17-21, Acts 16:5, Romans 15:5, 1 Corinthians 1:10, 2 Corinthians 6:17, Ephesians 2:12-22, Ephesians 4:3, Philippians 2:10-11, Philippians 3:17-21, Colossians 3:14, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 18:4).

We believe there is one faith...

We are saved by God’s grace through faith. Our faith begins with our repentance and confession, as we are spiritually transformed. Our faith leads us to stand as both a witness and a resource, following the inspiration of the apostolic work to become all things to all people. It is our honor to turn the world upside down, establish the Kingdom of God, and proclaim its presence within, around, and among (Matthew 25:32-46, Mark 16:15-20, Luke 17:20-21, Acts 17:6, Acts 20:24, Romans 1:8-12,17, Romans 3:22, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, 2 Corinthians 4:1-7, 2 Corinthians 3:3, Ephesians 4:5, Hebrews 12:10-14, 1 Peter 4:12-19).

We believe there is one baptism, unto repentance, in water...

It unites us to Christ, in His death, and is symbolic of raising us to new life in Him (Mark 1:4, Matthew 28:19-20, John 3:3-7, Acts 2:1-38, Acts 8:12-40, Acts 9:18, Acts 18:8, Acts 19:4-5, Romans 6:4, Ephesians 4:5, Colossians 2:11-12, 1 Peter 3:21-22).

We believe there is one body...

This bond we share as believers is an apostolic fellowship, one held by the early church, and living, real, and visible today. It is one that is called to walk humbly, gently, patiently, and bearing with one another in love (Matthew 16:18, Matthew 18:15-20, Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-26, Luke 22:12-20, John 17:1-26, Acts 2:41-47, Acts 9:31, Acts 12:5, Acts 15;4, Acts 16:5, 1 Corinthians 1:2,10, 1 Corinthians 10:1-33, 1 Corinthians 11:18-34, 1 Corinthians 12:14-20,27-28, 1 Corinthians 16:19, Ephesians 2:14-16, Ephesians 3:10-11,21, Ephesians 4:2,4,25, Ephesians 5:27-32, Colossians 3:15, Hebrews 10:23-25, Hebrews 12:24).

We believe in living a life worthy of the calling we have received...

We are citizens of heaven and the Kingdom of God, which is the Kingdom of heaven manifest on earth. It is this that we promote, proclaim, and believe shall lead to life (2 Samuel 7:16, Psalm 22:28, Psalm 45:6, Psalm 103:19, Psalm 145:12-13, Matthew 3:2, Matthew 5:3-13, Matthew 6:10-13, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 11:12, Matthew 18:4, Mark 1:15, Luke 1:33, Luke 9:2, Luke 9:60, Luke 17:20-21, John 18:36, Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 4:20, Ephesians 4:1, 2 Peter 1:11, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 11:15).

We believe in one hope, to which we are called...

Jesus Christ, as faithful to His promises, died, rose, and shall come again. For this, we proclaim His Kingdom (Matthew 24:36-44, Matthew 25:1-13, John 14:1-3, Acts 1:11, Ephesians 4:4, Philippians 2:24, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 9:28, James 5:7, 2 Peter 3:10, 1 John 2:28, Revelation 22:20).

We believe in the word of God...

Both the Scriptures (written word of God) and logos (revelation, understanding, precept) that we may understand God's direction and purposes for us. We see experience precedes knowledge, production precedes experience, and existence before essence (Deuteronomy 4:10, Joshua 3:9, 2 Samuel 22:31, Psalm 119:42-44, Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, Isaiah 28:9-13, Matthew 8:8, Matthew 13:19-23, Luke 1:2, Luke 4:21, Luke 11:28, Luke 24:27, John 1:1,14, John 2:2, John 8:51, John 19:28,36, Acts 4:31, Acts 13:49, Romans 4:3, Romans 16:26, 1 Corinthians 12:8, 1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, James 2:8, Hebrews 4:12-13, 2 Peter 1:20, 1 John 2:5-14).

We believe the house of God is for any who seek Him...

We welcome all to come and partake of all God has for us, as His people. We walk in the principle of inclusion; that God calls "whosoever," and "whosoever" comes is welcome. We are more than just an institution or incorporation; we are found family. We stand as a collective of Christian believers who, much like the early church, has become “found family” in a hostile world that doesn’t always understand who we are. Our acceptance is here. Our love is here. Our place is here with God and our spiritual family (Isaiah 56:5-7, Jeremiah 31:3, Haggai 2:5-9, Matthew 7:1-20, Luke 6:42, John 6:37, Romans 2:11, Romans 12:13, Romans 14:1-4, Romans 15:7, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9, 1 John 3:15, Revelation 22:16-17).

Our Philosophy

So, we leave politics outside this door.

We do not argue, nor debate them here

and we respect differences of political opinion.

We do not preach or tolerate hate within these walls,

and we open the door for discussion of different ideas.

We believe in deliverance and restoration,

and that God's got an answer for anything that ails you,

no matter what it might be – Spiritual, physical or emotional.

– And that we are here for you:

Rich, poor, middle class, or what’s next,

Feminist, womanist, black, white, or Hispanic;

Asian, Indian, or indigenous,

Full-figured, plus size, curvy, or thin,

There’s no room for shame, we all fit in;

immigrant, refugee, foreigner or wanderer;

LGBT or Q-plus, straight, or in between;

Conservative or liberal, or whatever falls in the middle;

Married or single, partnered or free;

we all need our found family!

Young or old, or somewhere in between,

vision is essential for more than we see;

Hoping, expecting, knowing, or still unsure…

We are here to welcome you,

Be your friend, encourage you, and always remind you:

No matter who you are,

what you've done,

what you think,

where you've been,

or what you've walked through –

You are welcome in this place.

This is the House of God:

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